Senior Systems Security Engineer (SSE)

Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and technically authoritative Senior, Systems Security Engineer (SSE) to lead the integration of Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) and program protection principles into a complex missiles portfolio.

The Senior SSE acts as the primary technical authority responsible for ensuring that critical defense systems are architected, designed, and sustained to be resilient against advanced persistent threats (APTs) and malicious insertions within hardware, software, and firmware supply chains. In this role, you will establish secure design principles, anti-tamper solutions, and cryptographic protections.

Operating as a strategic technical advisor and mentor to engineering staff, you will bridge the gap between high-level program protection plans and concrete engineering execution to safeguard vulnerable nodes across all procurement, design, and development paths.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the Program Protection Plan (PPP) and ensure its tenets are seamlessly integrated into the Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) and overall system architecture.
• Architect, design, and oversee the integration of robust security controls, anti-tamper measures, secure boot, and cryptographic components throughout the entire system development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Serve as the lead technical advisor on all matters related to hardware, software, and firmware assurance, including conducting and reviewing component-level supply chain risk assessments.
• Direct the identification, assessment, and mitigation of vulnerabilities in Critical Program Information (CPI) and mission-critical functions.
• Support the decomposition of complex weapon systems architectures to identify CPI and vulnerable nodes.
• Conduct complex weapons systems supply chain maps and identify and monitor SCRM risks and vulnerabilities.
• Oversee the analysis of supply chain threat intelligence to assess and articulate the potential mission impact of identified risks to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Interface closely with cybersecurity teams to ensure full alignment of program protection measures with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and DoW cybersecurity policies.
• Direct program protection working groups consisting of Systems Engineers, Cybersecurity Analysts, Traditional Security Officers, Anti-Tamper Evaluation Teams, and SCRM representatives.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to program managers, systems security engineers, design engineers, software developers, and logistics personnel on emerging threats and countermeasures.
• Prepare decision-ready technical reports, executive briefs, and mitigation plans translating complex supply chain risks into clearly defined operational and mission impacts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 10+ years of professional experience in systems security engineering, with a direct focus on DoW weapon systems or critical defense infrastructure protection. Strong background in systems engineering principles, risk management, and the defense acquisition lifecycle.
• Active Top Secret security clearance, with eligibility for SCI highly preferred. Must be able to maintain the security clearance required for this position.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Deep technical expertise in anti-tamper (AT) technologies, hardware/software/firmware assurance, cryptography, and secure system design.
• Familiarity with program protection concepts and the role of Systems Security Engineering within DoW acquisition.
• Comprehensive knowledge of DoW Instruction 5200.44 (Protection of Mission Critical Functions).
• Thorough understanding of the interplay between SCRM, SSE, and the DoW acquisition lifecycle.
• Exceptional executive communication, briefing, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex engineering risks into clear, actionable, and decision-ready briefings for non-technical leadership.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.

Preferred (Desirable)

• Advanced Education: Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a relevant engineering discipline.
• Certifications: CISSP with Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP) concentration is highly desired.
• Relevant DAWIA certifications in Engineering or Systems Engineering are a plus.
• Specialized Experience:Direct experience designing, implementing, or assessing protection measures for Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) and ACAT I/II level DoW programs.